About Us

Who We Are

The Niagara Ostomy Association (NOA), a chapter of Ostomy Canada Society (www.ostomycanada.ca) is a volunteer-based organization providing emotional support and practical help to ostomates. We are a non profit organization.

The NOA mission is to be of service and assistance to all ostomates in the region, their family and friends, by providing instructional and informational services through our membership.

The NOA supports members who wish to become Certified Ostomy Visitors so that they can perform one-on-one information sessions with people either pre-or-post-ostomy surgery.

Our History

The Niagara Ostomy Association was started in 1974 to help people overcome the effects of ostomy surgery and adjust to life after the surgery. The Niagara Ostomy Association uses public buildings for meetings to minimize operating expenses. Members provide mutual support for self-management of their ostomies, raise funds through planned activities sufficient to maintain the Chapter and when sufficient funds are available provide a donation to help send Niagara area youth ostomates to the UOAC Summer Ostomy Youth Camp.

Over the years concerned members have attended UOAC led training programs to become Certified Ostomy Visitors to better support new ostomates regain their self-confidence and morale. In 2006, NOA began a formal Ostomy Visitor Program with a number of members becoming Certified Ostomy Visitors. The Chapter continues to advertise and promote their service to the Niagara medical community. The program is building as the Chapter receives referrals and requests for visits.